The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-09-10
QUININE AND HEALTH.
A Valuable Medicine which Should, How
ever, Not BE Used at Random.

A Valuable Medicine which Should, How
ever, Not BE Used at Random.
An urgent correspondent is anxious
to know what we think of the bearing
of quinine upon human health and
longevity. We do not wonder that
such a question is asked in many
localities. Although we have never
been able to verify the statement that
in certain portions of the Western
country it is the chief medium of ex-
change in place of silver, we fear that
the idea has some foundation. 1t is
certain that no other drug has such a
large consumption. and that it has
come to be regarded as a necessity of
civilization. We almost wonder how
our forefathers could have lived with
out it. To those going into new re-
gions of country. it is a companion if
they are wise. Scarcely any one now
doubts its efficiency, not only in mala-
rial seizures, but in warding off that
most insidious miasm. 1t certainly forti-
fies the system, and acts as prophy-
Tactic. So true is ii, that those pass
ing for the first time into malarious
region are the most liable to attack,
that it almost seems rash to neglect it
as precaution. Not less indispensable
is it in the treatment of intermittent
and remittent fever.
1t seems TO have been provided as
the great specific of Nature. Even to
the physician who over and over again
has witnessed its mastery. 1t is little
less than miraculous how the shaking
ague will yield to its control unless
less habit of malarial subsection has
been esi ablished. 1t has even extend
ed its domain far beyond this. In other
forms of fever, and in certain condi-
tons of innovation or want of general
tonicity, tits largely available although
needing to be used with great
discernment. There probably never
was time in which the use of some
form of Peruvian bark, under the name
of china, cinchona, quinidia, etc, has
| been so extensive as at present. 1t
may be said in general that the use OF
| DiitcTS Qiu uOb DcSih WIN tuio, anu
that it has substituted many Of them
only because of its greater convenience
and its more concentrated and effective
forms. 1t is well known that the most
| of the bitter herbs have allied powers.
They will diminish the amount of
mucous in the stomach. fortify the nery-
Gus system, and aid in giving tonicity
| to the tired and to the exhausted vi
tally.
There are some reasons why such
bitters as dogwood, NORWOOD, hops,
rue and some others should not be set
aside. They have certain additional or
modified effects which are recognized
by those familiar with their use, and
should be valued for their tonic
effects. In the use of medication as
well as in foods even good medicine
needs change, and there is benefit in
some other form, just as we change,
with advantage. from one form of flesh
to another. We believe that in this
age of strain and stress there is no
class of materials that are so often
needed as some of the multiplied
forms of bitter trees, vegetables or
herbs. Indeed, they belong so closely
to the vegetable world, and contain so
much that is allied to foods, or con-
vertible thereinto, that they should
hardly be regarded as medicines. The
depressions from exposure to long
winters and to excessive heat undoubt-
cdiy respond to and are relieved by
this kind of nurture. Enfeebled stom-
ach digestion is often relieved thereby.
But may there not be over-use, and
especially of the cinchona prepare
tionsp Undoubtedly. and for this
reason skilled medical and dietetic adj
vice is often needed. There are cases
where the liver has become so en-
gorged, or where by reason of some
organic change either the power OF
quinine is suspended or made harmful.
When the spleen has become enlarged
by reason of severe or frequent at
tacks of malaria the absorbent OIL
lymphatic system is so involved that
the quinine when used has no effect.
or may even irritate. 1t is admitted
that its continuous or uninterrupted
use tends to produce congestion of the
minute vessels of organs. So what in
many cases is stimulus in the
direction of cure may become. in an
overtaxed organ, congestant The
same might be true of food. The Of
feet on the nervous system and the cir
culation is shown by the sense of full
ness in the head produced by large
Doses We think that it can be as
serted that it is one Of the most val
liable of medicines, and has more
claim to be called an accessory food
than alcohol. Surely it should not be
used at random, and the medical adj
wiser may need often to be consulted
as TO indications and contra-indica.
tons for its use. But it can safely be
said that it is less abused than most
medicines, and that we may easily
rank it as among the most valuable Of
American discoveries. While there il
no such danger of acquiring quinine
habit as morphine habit the abuse
of the drug is not uncommon.-M T.
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